A senior Leeds councillor has criticised the 'short-sighted' decision to put plans on hold for a £180 million flood defence system in Leeds.

Labour Pudsey councillor Richard Lewis Public Domain

The Leeds flood prevention project is the biggest-ever planned inland flood defence scheme and would be built along a 12-mile stretch on the River Aire to increase protection to businesses in the city centre and riverside homes.

The Environment Agency has had its budget for the region slashed by 41% and the ambitious Leeds scheme has not been classed as a priority. Schemes in York and Thirsk have also been delayed because of the cuts.

Councillor Richard Lewis, deputy leader of Leeds council and executive board member with responsibility for development said:

"It is hugely disappointing that the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme on the River Aire has been delayed again.

"The Leeds scheme is not on the government's current scoring system to receive funding next year, which we feel is short sighted in view of the city's importance to the economic wellbeing of the region, in fact to the whole of the north of England.

"The lack of a flood alleviation scheme puts the city at risk of flooding. The area around the river has played a significant role in the growth that the city has seen with many financial institutions being based there. There are also a number of residential properties that now face a continued risk of flooding.

"We are working in partnership with the environment agency to look at other funding streams, including European funding, and will continue to lobby central government to make Leeds a special case and get a commitment to bringing a flood alleviation scheme to the city in the near future."

Leeds City Council's flood risk manager, Peter Davis, told the BBC that 'a flood could happen any time' and said the very nature of flooding made it difficult to plan for.

Leeds currently has no formal flood defences, yet the Environment Agency estimates that more than 3,000 properties are at risk and that a major flood of the River Aire could cause £500m of damage. In summer 2007 heavy rain meant parts of the city centre were literally centimetres away from being flooded. Leeds city centre has come close to flooding twice in five years.

If you know of any cuts, why not take part in our Leeds Cutswatch project, which is a collaboration with readers to evaluate the impact of the government's spending review on lives and communities at street-level.UPDATED: 6.05pm: Commenting on the announcement that the Leeds flood defence systems have been put on hold, Gary Williamson, chief executive of Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber, says:

"I find it extremely concerning that the Government would take such a gamble with Leeds economy. The cost of flood damage can have a devastating effect on businesses and is something that small independent businesses and retailers may struggle to recover from.

"The Chamber will work with the relevant local authorities in lobbying central Government, as well as exploring alternative funding options."